Machine for making fence-posts.



No. 844,306. PATENTED FEB. 12, 1907.

' G. FALK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING FENCE POSTS.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTBD FEB. 12, 1907.. G. FALK. MACHINE FOR MAKING FENCE POSTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 25, 1900.,

' THE NORRIS m-rsss cm, wnsnmcrmv. u. c.

GEORGE FALK, OF LA OROSSE, WISCONSIN.

MACHINE FOR MAKING FENCE-POSTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1907.

Application filed August 25, 1906. Serial No. 332.020.

. zen of the United States, residing at La Crosse, in the county of LaCrosse and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Machines for Making Fence-Posts, of which the followingis a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a construction of moldparticularly designed for manufacturing fence-posts of plastic orsimilar material, one which is simple in construction and operation andis especially adapted for use on the farm or in various other places toenable the manufacture of fence-posts on either a small or a largescale.

A machine embodying the invention consists, primarily, of a suitablesupport upon which the mold for making the molded article is movablymounted, being adapted to be readily elevated during the operation ofmolding and to be revolved to enable the operator to have access to themolded article from all sides to slick the same down and insure theformation of the article in such a manner as to obviate all likelihoodof defective construction of the finished product.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof andalso to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the meansfor effecting the result reference is to be had to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is aperspective view of a molding-machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 isa side elevation of the machine, showing the mold in elevated positionwith one of the sides removed, so as to permit the operator to slickdown the plasticmaterial being molded. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinalsectional view showing more clearly the arrangement of the core membersin the mold. Fig. 4 is an end elevation, bringing out clearly themechanism for elevating the mold. Fig. 5 is a vertical transversesectionon the line a 90 of Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a fence-postsuch as is molded in the machine comprising the invention, the attachingmeans for securing the fence-wire to the fence-post beingalseillustrated. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the core device.Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated bearing 12.

in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

Specifically describing the invention, the numeral 1 indicates the baseof the machine, at opposite ends of which are locatedupwardly-projecting supporting-standards 2. The standards 2 areconnected together by tie-rods 3 to reinforce the same in an obviousmanner, as well as to adj ustably connect said standards together. Eachof the standards 2 carries a vertically-adjustable rest 4, each restbeing mounted upon the inner side of its standards and movable insuitable guides. rest 4 embodies downwardly-eXtending legs '5, which arevertically slotted to receive adjusting members 6, by which the restsare attached to the standards at the desired adjustment. Upon the rests4 is supported the pallet 7, and the mold 8 is movably mounted above thepallet 7. Said mold is composed of the sides 9, which are preferably ofcurved form in crosssection in order that the molded ititlplfi may havea rounded conformation when completed. It will of course be understood,however, that the sides 9 of the mold may be of any desired shape,depending upon the desired form or construction of the fence-post orother article which is to be molded in the machine. The mold Salsoin:.ludes opposite heads or ends 10, adapted t close said mold at theopposite extremities and arranged between its sides 9. The heads or endpieces 10 of the mold 8 are preferably of circular formation for reasonsabove noted, and each head 10 is formed with an oflstanding journal 11,mounted in a The sides 9 of the mold do not entirely i11(lOS6 the moldedarticle in the actual operation of molding, as the longitudinal edgeportions of the sides do not come together, but are spaced apart somedistance when said sides are in operative positions.

The parts of the mold 9 are connected by means of hooks 13, which hooksare pivotally attached at one end to one of the sides 9 and are adaptedto engage at the opposite ends with a pin 1.4, projecting from the otherside of the mold. The hooks 13, when connecting the sides 9 of the mold,span the spaces between the longitudinal edge portions of said side, andsaid hooks are preferably directly secured to reinforcements 15, appliedto the outer spaces of the sides 9 to increase the rigidity of thelatter, said sides being constructed, preferably, of sheet metal orsimilar material. When the mold 8 is in operative position, the samerests upon the pallet 7, which in turnis supported by the rests 4. Saidpallet 7 closes the space between the lower spaced longitudinal edges ofthe mold sides 9, and the pallet is preferably formed with transversegrooves 16, in which the bodies of the lower hooks 13 are received whenthe mold is resting upon the pallet, thus permitting the upper surfaceof the pallet to be in contact with the lower longitudinal edges of themold sides 9.

One of the heads or end pieces 10 of'the mold 8 has its journal 11oftubular formation to receive the stem 17 of a plunger 18, which ismounted in the mold and which is adapted for use in tamping the plasticor other material after the latter has been placed in the mold. Theplunger 18 is movable longitudinally within the mold 8 and is operableby the stem 1.7 which passes through the hollow journal 11, abovementioned, and which is adapted to be grasped by the operator in orderto accomplish the desired result. The head or end piece 10,

formed with the hollow journal 1.], is provided with two openings 19, onopposite sides of the journal preferably, and core-rods 20 pass throughthese openings, said rods 20 being but a few inches shorter than thelength of the mold. The core-rods 20 will form longitudinal air-spacesin the fence-post, (indicated at 21 in Fig. 6,) these air-spaces beingpreferably provided in order to interrupt the passage of frost,dampness, or the like in transverse passage through the body of thefinished or completed article. Likelihood of breaking the post underactual conditions of service will be reduced to a minimum by theprovision of the air-spaces 21.

A fencepost molded in the use of a machine comprising the invention isdesigned to have a tie or ties of wire applied. thereto to secure theline-wires of a fence to said post. To form the post with suitableopenings to receive the ties above mentioned, it is contemplated toemploy one or a number of transverse core devices. Each core deviceabove mentioned will consist of a body member 22, one end of which ispreferably provided with a square extension 23, adapted to be receivedin a similarly-formed opening in the pallet 7, as shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, said extension 23 positioning the whole core device in themold 8 when the parts are in operative positions. At one end of the bodymember 22, adjacent to the extension 23, is formed a lateral extension24, the outer extremlty of which 1s provided with an open.-

ing receiving an end portion of a removable core-piece 25. When 111position on the core core-piece 25 being in contact with the body member22, so that said. core-pieceis arranged diagonally with reference to theparts i 22 and 24. The lateral extension 24 is formed withoppositely-extended arms 26. In actual use the core device justdescribed will form a transverse opening 27 in thepost and extendingentirely therethrough. The core-piece 25 of the core device will form asecond opening 28, extending at an angle to the opening 27. The tie-wireshown in Fig. 6 will pass into one end of the opening 27, back throughthe opening 28, and will be twisted together at its extremities toattach the line-wire 29 to the post, said line-wire being received inseats 30, formed by thelateral arms 26, which extend from the lateralextension 24 of the core device. The construction of the core device isof advantage, in that by removing the diagonal-arranged corepiece 25 theparts which cooperate with said core-piece may be disconnected from thefence-post without likelihood of mutilation of the latter. It is to beunderstood that the number of the core devices used in the con:struction of the fence-post or molded article will be dependent uponthenumber offencewires which are to besecured to the post.

One of the mostimportant features of the present invention resides inthe mechanism employed to raise the mold S'bodily from the pallet 7 toenable said mold to be revolved at will by the operator, so that he mayhave ac cess to the sides of the molded article by re moving one of thesides 9 of the mold, whereby the molded article may be slicked down witha suitable trowel ortool adapted for the purpose to provide a smoothconstruction of the post or article when completed. The mechanism forthe above'men tioned purpose consists mainly of verticallymovablesupporting members 31, which are mounted upon the outer sides of thestand ards 2. v One of the members 31 is carried by each standard 2 andis suitably attached thereto for vertical movement, being guided Thebearings 12,

ends of the mold 8, are formed in vertical ex- I tensions 33,projectingfrom lateral portions extending from the upper ends of themembers 31. Each of the bearings 12 has a roller at its bottom portionto reduce friction between the journal 11. and the bearing to a minimum.The supporting membersv 31,

which are movable vertically to elevate the, mold 8 when desired, areformed at the lower ends thereof with concavesor recesses 36, in

which are received small-rollers 37, each of the rollers being pivotallyconnected, as at 38, with an end of a foot-lever 39. One of thefoot-levers 39 is located at each end of the machine and is pivotedbetween its ends to an extending end portion of one of the tierods 3, bywhich the standards 2 are connected and reinforced. In other Words, eachof the tie-rods 3 constitutes a pivotal support at one end for the lever39, mounted thereon.

Briefly describing the general operation of the machine, the plasticmaterial is placed within the mold 8 through the spaces between theupper longitudinal edge portions of the sides 9, when the parts arearranged substantially as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The coredevice or devices, as well as the core-rods 20, will of course have beenplaced in proper operative position. The plunger 18 will be thenoperated to tamp the plastic material properly in the mold. As soon asthe plastic material has set su'liiciently, the operator may thendepress the foot-levers 39, and thus elevate the' mold'8 from the pallet7. This done, the operator may grasp the handle 40, applied to one ofthe journals 11 of the mold, and the latter may be rotated so as toenable the operator to slick the post or molded article by use of atrowel or similar tool, which is shaped to conform to the shape of saidmolded article. The post may thus be provided with a hard smoothsurface, which is especially desirable for reasons which will be obviousto those versed in the art to which the invention appertains. Theconnections between the mold parts are such that the mold may be readilytaken apart to admit of removal of the molded article.

The construction of the machine is such that by substitution of certainparts by others molded articles of different sizes may be made on themachine, and this is of obvious advantage and importance in actualconditions of service.

Having thus'described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In amolding-machine, the combination of a support, a mold movably mountedthereon, means for elevating the mold, and means for rotating the moldwhen elevated and independently of its elevating movement.

2. In a molding-machine, the'combination of a support, a mold normallymounted upon said support, means for effecting relative movement of themold and the support whereby said parts will be separated from oneanother, and means for effecting independent bodily movement of themold.

3. In a molding-machine, the combination of a support, rests carriedthereby, a mold normally adapted to be supported on said rests, meansfor elevating the mold from the rests, means for rotating the moldindependently of its elevating movement, and means for adjusting thepositions of the rests aforesaid.

,4. In a iholding-machine, the combination of a support,vertically-movable supporting members mounted thereon, means foractuating said supporting members, a mold rotatably mounted on thesupporting members, and independent means for rotating the mold.

5. In a molding-machine, the combination of a support, rests thereon, apallet normally supported on said rests, a sectional mold normallysupported on the pallet, and separate and independent means forelevating and rotating the mold.

6. In a molding-machine, the combination of a support, rests thereon, apallet normally supported on said rests, a mold normally supported onthe pallet, and separate and independent means for elevating androtating the mold, said mold being composed of detachable side and endpieces.

7. In a molding-machine, the combination of a support,vertically-movable supporting members mounted thereon, means foractuating said members, a mold embodying end pieces provided withjournals mounted in hearings on the vertically-movable supportingmembers, and means for rotating the mold.

8. In a molding-machine, the'combination of a support,vertically-movablesupporting members mounted thereon, levers for actuating said supportingmembers, a mold rotatably mounted on the supporting members, andindependent means for effecting rotation of the mold.

9. In a molding-machine, the combination of a support including spacedstandards, ver tically-movable supporting members mounted on saidstandards and provided with bearings thereon, a mold rotatable in thebearings of the supporting members, levers operably connected with thesupporting members to elevate the mold, and means for rotating the mold.

10. In a molding-machine, the combination of a mold embodying detachablesides, end pieces, a stem passing through one of the end pieces of themold, a plunger connected. with the stem and movable in the mold, andcore-rods passing through the end piece through which the stem aforesaidpasses.

1.1. In a moldinganachine, a mold comprising detachable sides, a pallet,a core device detachably mounted upon the pallet, said core deviceconsisting of a transverse body member, a lateral extension at one endportion of the body member, and a diagonally-arranged core-pieceextended from the outer end of the lateral extension and in con- &844,306

' tact with the body member of an end thereof,

projecting upwardly into the space between 10 the sides of the mold, andmeans for elevatsaid core-piece being detachable from the .tion of asupport, rests thereon, a pallet carried by said rest, a mold comprisingspaced In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

GEORGE FALK. [L 8.]

12. In a 1nolding-1'nachine, the combinasides resting the pallet, meansdetachably l/Vitnesses: connecting-the sides of the mold, core devicesGEO. J. FRIES, at intervals in the length of the pallet and j HUGOHiomscn.

